Switch-operating mechanism.



No. 843,070. PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

T. E. BUTTON. SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T.ll, 1904.

6 SHEETB-BHEET 1.

Fiql.

\AATNESSES' h l\/E\]TEJ R {W W TheodoveEnEButEon I bqw ofi t gi No.843,070. PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

- T. E. BUTTON.

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED 00111. 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MTNESSES: I lph/EplTo M 8m ThGOdOF'GE-BLUICOH.

M W bL MM/Z No. 843,070. PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907. T. E. BUTTON.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED 00111, 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

\A/ITHESSES: v Pk/ENTCIFQ MM Theodore IiESuUZQn.

PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.v

T. E. BUTTON. SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 00'1.11, 1904.

6 B HEETS-BHEET 4.

TheodoPeiButton.

PATENTED FEB. 5

T. B. BUTTON.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED OUT. l1 1904.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

lnvemor, Theodore Efiuflon.

Amy.

NITED SIATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE E. BUTTON, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GEN ERALELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION'OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1807.

Application filed October 11,1904. Serial No. 228,005.

To all whom it may conccrn:

Be it known that I, THEODORE E. BUTTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady and State ofNewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Operating Mechanisms, of which the follow ingris a specification.

he present invention relates to operating mechanism for electricswitches, articularly power-driven switches of the oil- Teak type, desined for'controlling circuits of high-potentlal and large amperage.

In the class of oil-switches to which my invention is particularlyadapted the circuits are ruptured in oil-pots located in fireproof cellsconstituting an inclosing structure for the switch, and the operatingmechanism therefor is usually located on the top of the cell structure,and the movable switch-contacts arevertically reciprocatod. It has beenthe practice heretofore in switches of this character to connect theupper ends of the rods which carry the movable contacts to a singlecross-bar or yoke which is bodily reciprocated upon the opening andclosing of the switch, some motive mechanism, preferably an electricmotor, being employed to produce this motion. With this construction itis found that whenthe contact-carry- 3 ing rods are spaced some distanceapart it becomes necessary to enlarge the slze, and

yoke.

consequently the weight, of the connecting- This necessitates. acorresponding increase in the size of the actuating parts and theoperating motor.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a noveloperating mechanism which shall be suitable. to the above reuirementsofservice and at the samedtime light and simple in structure and effectivein operation and one in which any number of contacts spaced any desireddistance apart ma be employed or'now contacts may be ad ed withoutnecessitating a material increase in the weight of the existing parts.

A more complete understanding of the. organization an mode of operationof my invention, together with the advantages of the same, will be hadby reference tothe following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawmgs.

In said drawings, F1 re '1 is an end view of the upper portion 0 anoil-switch structure upon which is mounted an operating mechanismconstructed in accordance with the presentinvent'ion. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the operating mechanism.Fig. 4 is a partial sectional Vi(W illustrating the actuating motor andgearing and the circuit-controlling contact-fingers actuated thereby.Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a modification, and Fig. 6 is a diagramofthe controlling-circuits by which the switch-operating mechanism isactuated.

The switch to which I have shown my operating mechanism applied isadapted for rupturing currenton a high-potential triphasealternating-current circuit. The invention, however, althou 11particularly a plicable to high-potential switches, may e used inconnection with any switches in which a reciprocating switch movement isem loyed.

n the present organization the movable switch-contacts 7 are secured byyokes to the lower ends of the vertical wooden rods 10,

which project through openings in the su porting-ca 11 of the cellstructure of t 1e switch. he cap 11 is mounted upon brick walls 12,which divide the supporimg structure into a plurality of inclosingcells, one for each phase of the switch.

The vertical supporting-rods 10.are pivotally connected at their upperends to the laterally-extending rock-arms 13, which are securely keyedat their 0 posite ends to a longitudinally-extendin s aft 14, supportedat the upper ends of t c struts 15. These struts are pivotally mountedupon a second longitudinally-extending shaftlfi, carried by suitablebearings 17, secured to the to of the cell structure and to the frame 18o the motor-actuating mechanism. Mounted upon this same base 18 is apair of upright brackets 19, which are rovided at their u per ends withoverhanging portions 20, to w 'ch the coiled com ression-springs 21 arefirmly secured. Simi a1 comprcssiomsprings 22 are located in suitableseats or depressions in the base 18 in line with the springs 21. Thesesprin s constitute theactuating mechanism by which the switch-contactsare given a quick openin and closingmovement. Thesesprings are a optedto be engaged by the end of levers 23 orsuitable engagin members, such.as the antifriction spherica rollers 24,

are eccentrically mounted and free to rotate into or disen age theinterior surface of the weight of the movable contacts and their mountedthereon at 24. The levers 23 are connected at their opposite ends to thecentral sup orting-struts 15 at 23 and one i or more inks 25 connect thecenter of the levers 23 to a fixed oint 26 on the brackets 19. One ormore inks 27 also connect the center of this lever with the centralrock-arm 13 at the point 28. A connecting-rod 29 also connects thecenter of the lever 23 to a crank 30 on the shaft 31, mounted in thebearings 32 on the base 18. This system of links constitutes aparallel-motion mechanism by which when the crank 30 is rotated theantifriction member 24, which engages the springs, and thesupporting-rods 10 are reciprocated in parallel right lines. Theproportion of the parts is such that the complete rotation of the crankcauses the lever 23 to compress the springs 21 and 22 alternately.

From the above it will be seen that if the crank 30 is moved todead-center, or approximately dead center, and held there the springs 21or 22 will be maintained under strain. If then the holding means beremoved, the mechanism will be unlocked, and the compressed springs'willbe free to throw outward the reciprocating member 24, thereby producinga quick movement of the movable switch-contacts. In order to minimizethe work required of the springs 21 22, the

supportin parts is neutralized by means of counterba ancingtorsion-springs 33, coiled about the shaft 14 and connected at theiropposite ends to said shaft and to the adjacent struts 15, as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 2. The crank-shaft 31 is rotated by means of anelectric motor 34, mounted upon the base 18 and adapted to be throwninto engagement with a train of gearin connected to said shaft by themagnetic c utch 35. This train of caring comprises a worm 36, engagingwit a Worm-gear 37 which forms the exterior member of afriction-ratchet, whose interior member 38 is keyed to a shaft 39,mounted in a bearing 40 upon the base 18. This shaft 39 carries a pinion41, which engages a gear-wheel 42, mounted on the crankshaft 31; Theinterior ratchet member 38 carries a number of engaging pawls 43, whichin the bearings at their inner ends and to bite exterior mem er 37 attheir outer ends. In operation the ratchet is always rotated in t e samedirectionthat is, in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4; butthe interior member is free to run ahead of the exterior member Fromthis it follows that when the motor is driving the crank-shaft 31against the opposing pressure of the springs 21 or 22 the members 37 and38 of the ratchet are in transmitting engagement; but as soon as thecrank 30 is moved beyond dead-center,

so that the springs 21 and 22 are free to act, if unrestrained, thecrank 30 will berapidly rotated thereby in advance of therotationproduced by the motor. At such a time the interior member 38 will outrunthe exterior member 37, and the teeth of the pawls 43 will slip over theinterior surface of the member 37. However, when the exterior membercatches up to the interior member the full load will be thrown on themotor, and the pawls 43 will be rotated about their bearings, so as tobite into the interior surface of the member 37 and transmit the motionimparted thereto to the shaft 38, and thence to the crank-shaft 31. Inorder to hold the crank 30 against rotation when the appropriate set ofsprings has been compressed, so that the switch may be held in eitherclosed or open position, a movable stop 44 is provided. This stop isadapted to be engaged by arms 45, which project from opposite sides ofthe crank-shaft 31. The stops 45 are located so that they stop the crank30 just after it has passed dead-center. The stop 44 is located on theouter end of bell-crank lever 46, which is actuated by means of a toggle47, connected between one of its arms and a fixed point on the base 18.The toggle normally holds the stop 44 in its engaging position throughthe actionof gravity; but the toggle may be actuated to throw the stop44 out of engaging position by means of the trip-magnet 48. This magnetis located directly beneath the toggle 47, so that its core 49 whendrawn upward by the energization of its magnet-coil will deliver a blowsufficient to actuate the toggle, and thereby free the shaft 31.

In order to cut off the power of the motor at the right instant and tootherwise vary the motor connections, the shaft 31 is provided withthree cams 50 50 and 50, which cooperate with three contact-fingers 5151 51 to rock them into and out of engagement with the fixed contacts52, 52 and 52. The operation of the cams and their cooperatingswitch-contacts will be best understood from the diagram shown in Fig.6. As clearly illustrated in this diagram, the motor 34 and the magneticclutch 35 are connected in series between the leg 53 of thesupply-circuit and the contact 52 The tripcoil 48 is connected betweenthe leg 53 and the contacts 52 and 52 which are connected together. Thecontact-finger 51, which is known as the master-finger, is connecteddirectly to the other leg 54 of the supplylinc, and the contact-fingers51 and 51", which are known as the opening and closing fingers areconnected to the terminals 55 and 56 of a double-throw switch, whosecontact-blade 57 is connected to the leg of supply-circuit. The cam 50is provided with two oppositely-disposed depressions, while the cams 50and 50 are provided with projecting portions, which are so located withreference to the depressions on the cam as to close either the ringer 51or the finger 51 when the master-finger 51 is open. The trip-coil isprovided with two contacts 58, which are connected one with themasterfinger contact 52? and the other with the leg 54 of thesupply-circuit. With this organization, assuming that the parts are inthe position illustrated, which corresponds to the closed position-ofthe switch, and that it is desired to open the switch, the contact 57 ofthe manual controlling switch, which is usually located some distancefrom the highpotential switch, is thrown into engagement with thecontact 56, so as to complete the circuit through the opening-finger 51,contact 52", and trip-coil 48. The coil 48 is thereby energized and byits upward movement actuates ,the toggle 47, so as to remove the stop 44from the path of the stop-arm 45 and at the same time bridges thecontacts 58. Ourrentis then free to flow through the motor by way of thecontacts 58 and 52. This at the same time starts the motor and energizesthe clutch 35. As soon as the crank-shaft is freed by the removal of thestop 44, the springs 22, which have been held under strain while theswitch remained closed,-

throw the engaging end of the lever 23 upward, and with it the contactsof the switch. During this operation the interior member 38 of theratchet moves freely within the exterior member 37 and in advance of thesame, as previously pointed out. As soon as the crank-shaft 31 rotates ashort distance the master-fin er 51 is moved to its closed position byriding upon the cam 50?, and as soon as it is closed the closing-finger51 passes from its cam projection, and it drops to the open position.The effect of this change is to denergize the trip-coil 48 and allow thestop 44 to return to its engaging osition to catch the shaft 31 when ithas ma e one halfrevolution and also to open the circuit at the contacts58, leaving the motor-circuit completed through the master-finger 51 andits contact 52. In this operation about the time the spring-engagingmember 24 has reached the upper actuating-springs 21 the relative speedof the arts will be such that the ratchet will take 1old,-and theaccumulated energy of the motor will be transmitted to complete thesemirotation of.the crankshaft 31. In doing this the springs 21 will becompressed, and the movement of the parts will cease only when thecrank-shalt 31 has rotated far enough to allow the mastereontact-"Iinger 51 to drop out of engagement with the contact 52. Thiswill occur when the stops ,44- and 45 come into engagement. When theshaft 31 has rotated far enough to permit the master-finger to separatefrom its contact, the proiecting portion of the cam 5t) will have forcedthe openingcontact-finger 51 into engagement with its contact 52", thusleaving the parts in readiness for the opening of the switch uponmovement of the manual controlling-switch toflcomplete the circuitthrough its terminal 55.

In the construction hereinbefore described the wooden rods 10, whichcarry the movable switch-contacts, are pendulouslv supported fromthe-outer ends of the rock-arms 13, and the operating mechanism is suchthat the outer ends of these arms move in vertical right lines; but inorder to prevent the rods from swinging some light guide for each of therods is required. This in the present instance is provided by theopenings through the cap 01 the cell through which these rods pass. InFig. 5 of the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a modifiedconstruction 1n which the movable switchcontacts are positivelyact-uated'in a right line and are prevented from movement out of thatline without the employment of guiding means. T his is accomplished byconstructing the supporting mechanism of each of the movableswitch-contacts so that there is an additional oint which has aright-line movement paral el to that of the outer end of the supportingrock-arm 13. In this instance this point is the outer end of the rockarmor link 56. The inner end o'f this link is pivoted at 56 to an extensionof the rockin strut 15, and its outer end and the outer cm of therock-arm 13 are pivotally connected. at the points 56* and 56,respectively, to a rigid frame 57, which maintains these ends in fixedrelation. This frame supports the moving switch-contacts 7, which areelec-- trically connected by the bridging-piece 58. which is insulatedirom the frame 57 by a strip or" wood or other suitable insulation 59,In this figure I have also shown the oil-pots 60, which contain thecontacts 60, with which the moving contacts 7 cooperate. In this type ofswitch the line-terminals are connected to the fixed contacts 60, andthe eircu it between said contacts is completed by the bridging-contact.These oil-pots are suitably mounted upon supports 60", of wood or othersuitable msulatmg material, having legs resting upon the base 61, whichsulpports the switchoperating mechanism. .11 this figure I have notshown the motor or other driving mechanism for the rocking shaft 31 butthe mechanism hereinbetore described may be employed, and obviously itmay be located at any desired point and connected to the crank-shait 31by suitable gearing.

In the mechanism heretofore described by which the contacts are giventheir right-line motions, the parts bear certain definlte relations toeach other as to length and points of connection which must be observedin designing the switch o crating mechanism. lhe links 23 and 25 an therocking strut 15, connected up in the manner shown and deobvious thatWhere "two links of difl erent lengths are attached each to a pivot atone endan'd are given the same angular movement the depths of the arcsformed by their free ends are directly proportional to the lengthspf thelinks. Consequently, in the present instance, since a, b, and c areequal, the

depths of the arcs struck by a and b as radii.

are equal, and each is equal to one-half the depth d of the arc struckby the radius (6 Due to the relation of the parts, the fulcrum I 23 isgiven a lateral movement equal to the 1 sum of the depths of the arcsformed by a and b as radii. This sum, as previously indi cated, equalsthe depth d of the arc struck by a+b as a 'radius' Since a+b equals thelength of the link 23, it will be seen that the arc is entirely removedfrom the motion of the free end of said link, and the latter is causedto move in a right line. In this operation of the parts each stroke ofthe crank moves the free end of the link 23 through a definite stroke S,which is the chord of the are having the depth (1. Consequently, thedistance (1 may also be expressed in terms of the radius and chordth.atis, in terms of l and s,-where 1 equals (b 0.) Obviously the distancebetween the points 23 and 26, which may be designated m, plus dequals 1. Now the distance m equals 72? Therefore U ity of points as itaffects the free end of the Fig. 5.

link 23that is, to cause these points to move in right lines parallel totheright-line path of the free end of said link. One of the 1plointswhich is to be mo vecl in such a rightne path is the outerjend of therock-arm 13, and the distance through which it is to be moved equals thelength of the stroke required by the moving contacts of the switch. Thisdistance is designated 3 in Obviously by locating the ,point 28, whichis the point of connection between the link 27 and the rock-arm 13, at adistance from the shaft 14 equal to I; the arm 13 will :23 above theshaft 16.

be caused to rock through the same angle as the link 23 when the partsare operated. Therefore, since the angular distance through which thelink 23 and the rock-arm 13are to pass is the same, then if 1 and Zrepresent the length of the link 23 and the arm 13, respectively, and ss the length of stroke of their free ends the value of l (or the lengthof the arm 13) may be determined from the proportion 8:8 H, since thevalues of s, s--,gand l are known. In a similar 'mannerthedepth of theare which will be struck by the arm 13 may be determined-by theproportion d:d 1:1, 'where d and (1 represent the de'- ths of the arcsstruck by the lengths land respectively, since (1, Z, and Z are known.This value 05 is the distance throu h which the shaft 14 must be movedlatera ly in order to maintain the movement of the free end of the arm13 in a right line. To accomplish this, the distance between the shafts14 and 16, (designated e must be a certain amount. This is obtainedby'solving, fore, in the proportion e:e =d:cl, where eequals thedistance of the fulcrum Obviously by making the shafts 14 and 16 and theconnectingstruts 16 sufliciently strong totransmit this same lateralmovement to the shaft 14 throughout itsentire length any number of Yrock-arms may be placed on it and a corresponding number ofswitch-contacts operated thereby.

When it is desired to employ the form of the invention disclosed inFig.- 5, the length of the link 56 may be determined as, follows: Theadditional length of the strut 15 beyond the shaft 14 may be arbitrarilyassumed. If then e represents the distance of the pivotpoint 56 abovetheshaft 16 along the strut 15, then the lateral distance through which thepivot 56 will move will be found fromthe proportion e:e d:d where d"indicates this lateral distance. Now in order that the lever 56 may begivena length'suflicient to produce an are having a depth equal to d itmust satisfy the conditions of the equation:

22' at the ends of its stroke, and they might.

be slightly shifted to obtain a proper bearing and thrust upon the outer.end of the ink.

Solving for Z" (or ZYthe TIC:

In such case the distance 0 would be more or less than the distances aor b. i

It is obvious that other mechanism may be employed for giving thecrank-shaft 31 its requisite movement, and the means which I have hereindisclosed constitutes no part of the present invention, but is insertedfor the purpose of describing a completely-operative device.

It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that many changes inthe proportions ofthe parts and in features of construction may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I thereforedo not wish to be limited to the specific matter illustrated, but aim tocover by the terms of the appended claims all such alterations andmodifications.

What I claim as'new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is

1. An electric switch comprising a plurality of pivoted rock-arms, acontact carried 1 by each of said arms, and common means for actuatingsaid arms to give said contacts a right-line motion.

2. An electric'switch comprising a rocksha'ft, supporting-arms extendinglaterally therefrom, a contact carried by each of said arms, and meansfor rocking and shifting said shaftto give said contacts a right-linemotion.

3. An electric switch comprising a rockshaft, supporting-arms extendinglaterally therefrom, a contact carried by each of said arms, anactuatingmotor,. and connecting means between said motor and shaft forrocking and shifting the latter to give said con tacts a right-linemotion.

4. An electric switch comprising a plurality of pivoted rock-arms, acontact carried by each of said arms, an actuating-motor, and parallel-motion connections between said armsand motor for moving said contactsin a right lin'e. l

5. An electric switch comprising parallelmotion mechanism having twopoints mov-' able in parallel right lines, actuating means adapted toengage said mechanism at one of said points, and a movableswitch-contact pivotally connected to the mechanism at the other oint.

6., 11 electric switch comprising parallelmotion'mechanism having twopoints movable in parallel right lines, anactuatingspring lying in thepath of movement of one point, and a movable switch-contact pivotallyconnected to the mechanism at the otherpoint.

7. An electric switch comprising parallelmotion mechanism having twopoints movable in parallel right lines, an actuatingspring lying in thepath of movement of one point, a movable switch-contact pivotallyconnected to the mechanism at the other point, and a motor for storingenergy in said sprmg.

8. An electric switch comprising parallelmotion mechanism including twopivoted movable members and connections between them for causing twopoints, one on each of said members, to move in parallel right lines,actuating means. adapted to engage said mechanism at one of said points,and a movable switch-contact connected to the mechanism at the otherpoint.

9. An electricv switch comprising parallelmotion mechanism including twopivoted movable members and connections between them for causing twopoints, one on each of contact connected to the mechanism at the otherpolnt, and a motor for storing energy in said spring. 11. An electricswitch provided with a movable contact, opposing s rings disposed in aline parallel to the line 0 motion of said contact, a member adapted tobe projected to and fro between said springs, and parallelmotionconnections between said member and said contact for giving themparallel right-line motions.

12. An electric switch provided with a movable contact, opposing springsdisposed 4 in a line parallel to the line of motion of said contact, amember adapted to be projected to and fro between said springs,parallel-motion connections between said member and said contact forgiving tliemparallel rightline motions, and means for storing energy insaid springs.

13. An electric switch comprising a frame,

a movable contact, an actuating-spring, a lever having one end adaptedto engage the spring, a motor-crank connected to tie center of thelever, a link pivotally connected at one end to a fixed point on tl eframe and at the other to the center of the lever, said link beingone-half tli e length of said lever, means for permitting a lateralmovement of the free end of the lever whereby its engaging end isreciprocated in a right line, and connections 'spring,a motor-crankconnected to the center said motive mechanism and contact-support ablecontact, motive mechanism for slfifting =move in a right line.

of the lever, a link pivotally connected at one end to a fixed point onthe frame and at the other to the center of the lever, said link beingone-half the length of said lever, means for permitting a lateralmovement of the free end of the lever whereby its engaging end is,reciprocated in a right line, a rock-arm connected at its outer end tosaid contact, and connecting-means between said lever and rock-armwhereby said contact is reciprocated in a right line.

15. An electric switch comprising a movable contact, a contact-supportcarrying said contact, motive mechanism for s ifting the contact, andactuating connections betvs een said motive mechanism andcontact-support for iving the latter a right-line motion and hol ing itagainst transverse movement.

16. An electric switch comprising a movable contact, a contact-supportcarrying said contact, motive mechanism for shifting the contact, andactuating connections between for moving the latter and compelling it to17. An electric switch comprising a movthe contact, a support to whichsaid contact is rigidly connected, and connecting means between saidmotive mechanism and contactsupport pivotally connected to the latter attwo points and operative to move said contact and its support in a rightline.

18. An electric switch comprising parallelmotion mechanism'having threepoints movable in parallel right lines, actuating means ada ted toengage said mechanism at one of sai points, and a movable switch-contactpivotally connected tosaid mechanism at the ct er points. I

19. An electric switch comprising parallelmotion mechanism having threepoints movable in parallel right lines, an actuatingspring lying in thepath of movement of one point, and a movable svi itch-contact pivotallyconnected to the mechanism at the other points.

20. An electric switch comprising parallelmotion mechanism includingthree pivoted movable members and connections between them for causingtlrce points, one on each of said members, to move in parallel rightlines, actuating means adapted. to engage said mechanism at one of saidpoints. and a movable switch-contact connected to said mechanism at theother points.

21. An electric switch comprising parallelmotion mechanism includingtltree pivoted movable members and connections between hem for causingthree points, one on each path of movement of one point, and a movableswitch-contact connected to the mecl. anism at tle otler points.

In witness Wlf ereof I have hereunto set my hand ti. is 10th day ofOctober, 1904.

THEODORE E. BUTTON.

Witnesses:

EDWARD WILLIAMS, Jr., HELEN JORFORD.

